Whether you’ve lost interest in the RV lifestyle, your rig has outlived its usefulness, or you’re ready to upgrade to a bigger and better motorhome, there are several strategies to selling it and getting the most money. With so many different methods of selling your RV, it’s normal to feel the jitters and not know what’s the best course of action.
No matter the reason, if you own a less-than-desirable rig, you can get cash for your junk RV in Washington. Just because it’s junk doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value.
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What To Do Before Selling Your RV
To get the maximum amount for your used RV, there are a few things you should do before offering it up for sale. Taking a little time and effort to prepare your rig can help to increase what you’ll get for it.
- Locate the title
- Locate all receipts and invoices for repairs and preventative maintenance
- Clean and detail the interior and exterior
- Fix any small issues such as cracked windows or squeaky doors
- Remove any items that aren’t a part of the sale
You’ll also need to determine what your RVs resale value is. Set an asking price too high and it’ll be difficult to sell, but set it too low and you’re leaving money on the table. An accurate resale value can be determined by using the National Automobile Dealers Association’s online RV resale calculator. From there, locate the RV section and enter the details of yours.
Ways To Sell Your RV in Washington
There are several different strategies for selling an RV. The method that works best for you will depend on a few factors. Outgoing types with highly desirable rigs will have more options than those that are shy around strangers or have a hard-to-sell RV. However, you can sell ones that are in great shape just as you can sell ones that are on their last legs.
Sell to a Private Buyer
Owners of used RVs who don’t have any issues dealing with complete strangers who also don’t mind the time and effort involved can shoot for a private sale. When selling to an individual, you’ll be the boss of how much you’ll accept for your rig, but you’ll also have to take care of advertising it, vetting prospective buyers, and meeting with complete strangers.
You’ll have a couple of options on how to find a private buyer. The old-school version of putting a for-sale sign on your rig could trigger interested parties if it’s parked in a high-traffic area or even better when it’s parked in a campground. The more modern method would be to post photos and details on social media platforms or to place ads on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
Sell to an RV Dealership
Those looking for a quick sale who also don’t want to spend time showing their RV to individual interested parties can take theirs to an RV dealership. Most will either offer you a price on the spot or the opportunity to take it on consignment. Although you may not get top dollar since dealerships are looking to profit from the sale, the convenience of a relatively effortless sale is appealing to some.
Sell to a Specialized Dealer
Owners of junk RVs usually find out fast that finding a private buyer or a dealership to make them an offer on their rig is an impossibility. With so many used RVs available, selling one that requires expensive repairs to make them roadworthy or those with extensive mileage are deemed undesirable.
However, there are specialized dealers in Washington that only purchase junk RVs. Most offer free towing and a more than fair price to take it off your hands. For owners of damaged, unusable, or just old RVs, a specialized dealer is the way to go.
Offer it up for Auction
Another option that can save the RV owner the trouble of trying to drum up local buyers is to place it up for auction on sites such as eBay. You can decide what’s the lowest amount you’ll accept for it or set a “Buy it Now” price.
Get Cash for Your RV: The Bottom Line
Depending on your priorities, comfort zone, and the condition of your RV, there are several ways to sell them and get the best money. RVs in good condition can be sold on the internet, in person to private buyers, or by selling them to an RV dealership. To get the best price for yours, ensure that it’s as clean as possible.
For those with difficult-to-sell rigs that are old, weatherbeaten, or have quite a bit of damage, your best option is to sell them to a specialized RV dealer. They don’t care about the condition and will come to you, check in hand, and tow it away.